Portable massaging device

ABSTRACT

A portable massaging device utilizing an AC motor having a high torque at a slow speed. The motor drive shaft operates a crank lever arm. The end of the arm is freely slidable within an elongated slot on a sliding member. Rotation of the crank arm will therefore cause reciprocation of the sliding member. A Bowdoin type cable is attached to the housing holding the sliding member with the operating central wire threadedly attached to the sliding member. The other end of the Bowdoin cable is mounted in a handle having a central axial opening. The central cable wire extends into this opening and is provided with a member having an internally threaded opening. Any suitable massaging attachment may be used. For example, the attachments may include brushes, vibrators, rollers, etc. Each attachment is provided with a carrier shaft having a threaded end which can be inserted into the handle and threaded into the member at the end of the central wire of the cable. With this hook-up, when the motor is turned on, the crank arm causes reciprocation of the sliding member. This causes the central cable wire to reciprocate so that its end will reciprocate within the axial handle opening. If the handle is grasped manually, the attachment will also reciprocate and can be applied to a suitable portion of the body.

United States Patent 91 Santo [451 Apr. 3, 1973 [54] PORTABLE MASSAGING DEVICE [76] Inventor: non Santo, 1440 N. 64th Way, Hollywood, Fla. 33024 [22] Filed: July 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 161,782

[52] U.S. Cl. ..l28/52 [51] Int. Cl. .A61h 7/00 [58] Field of Search ..l28/24, 24.1, 24.2, 51, 52

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,026,981 1/1936 Kahnt ..128/52 X 770,519 9/1904 Dow 3,504,665 4/1970 Bakunin et al ..l28/52 X Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney-Max Schwartz [57] ABSTRACT A portable massaging device utilizing an AC motor having a high torque at a slow speed. The motor drive shaft operates a crank lever arm. The end of the arm is freely slidable within an elongated slot on a sliding member. Rotation of the crank arm will therefore cause reciprocation of the sliding member. A Bowdoin type cable is attached to the housing holding the sliding member with the operating central wire threadedly attached to the sliding member. The other end of the Bowdoin cable is mounted in a handle having a central axial opening. The central cable wire extends into this opening and is provided with a member having an internally threaded opening. Any suitable massaging attachment may be used. For example, the attachments may include brushes, vibrators, rollers, etc. Each attachment is provided with a carrier shaft having a threaded end which can be inserted into the handle and threaded into the member at the end of the central wire of the cable. With this hook-up, when the motor is turned on, the crank arm causes reciprocation of the sliding member. This causes the central cable wire to reciprocate so that its end will reciprocate within the axial handle opening. 1f the handle is grasped manually, the attachment will also reciprocate and can be applied to a suitable portion of the body.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRB m5 3,724 451 F l 6& F I INVENTOR 34 DON SAN-r0 F G 5 ATTNEY PORTABLE MASSAGING DEVICE My present invention relates to a beauty treatment device, and more particularly to a novel construction of a portable massaging device.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a small compact portable unit which can readily be used for a multiplicity of different types of attachments for massagingthe scalp or any other portion of the body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable massaging device utilizing a minimum number of readily assembled parts.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable massaging device which is simple inconstruction and which can be readily operated with different types of attachments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, compact and easily operable portable massaging device which is simple in construction and easy and economical to manufacture and assemble.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts, more fully described in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable massaging device embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 33 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 44 on FIG. 2; and

FIG. Sis a longitudinal section of the handle holder.

Various types of massages are considered healthful and conducive to reducing or as a beauty aid. Health clubs have become popular using all types of apparatus for massaging different parts of the anatomy. Of course, the devices used in these establishments are large and expensive and not designed for home use. The present invention is designed to provide a small,

The above assembly retains the housings 10 and 14 in rigid position on any suitable flat surface, resting on the handles 15. Now referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the housing 14 is provided with oppositely disposed extruded tracks21 extending longitudinally along the inside walls. I '-'riow provide an elongated, rectangular, carrier plate 22 having grooves 23 along each short side edge adapted to engage and slide along the tracks 21, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The carrier plate 22 is provided with an elongated central slot 24.

Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the vertical drive shaft 13 is provided with a lever arm 25 having one end mounted adjacent the top of the shaft 13. The other end of the lever arm 25 is provided with a short vertical shaft 26 extending through the elongated slot 24 in the plate 22, and locked in place by the enlarged head 27. With this arrangement, it is obvious that rotation of the drive shaft 13 will cause rotation of the lever arm 25. This will rotate the shaft 26 along the dot-dash line 28 shown in FIG. 4. As the lever arm 25 rotates, it will cause the carrier plate 22 to move along the tracks 21. The vertical shaft 26 slides laterally in the slot 24 while it is moving inan annular path 28. This converts the circular movement of the drive shaft 13 into the reciprocating slidingfmovement of the carrier plate 22.

Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the front upper portion of the housing 14 is provided with an opening 29 having a forwardly extending nipple 30 with external threads. A Bowdoin type cable 31 is provided, having an outer flexible sheathe portion 32 mounted at one end in a short rigid cylinder 33. The central operating 1 cable wire 34 is threade'dly mounted in the central front compact, portable massaging device which is suitable for home use.

my invention, I provide a rectangular housing 10 in which is mounted an AC gear motor 11. The gear motor 11 is turned so that its gear portion 12 drives a short vertical shaft 13 extending upwardly through an opening in the top portion of the housing 10. Mounted on the top of the housing 10 is. a larger, flat, rectangular housing 14. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the housing 14 extends a short distance forwardly of the housing 10 and also slightly rearwardly thereof.

The combined housings l0 and 14 may be retained in proper position by utilizing a pair of plastic, elongated, handle members 15 which are slightly flattened for resting on a flat surface such as a floor or table. Each handle 15 is provided with a round rod extending axially rearwardly therefrom at 16 and bent sharply vertically to form the elongated arm 17. The two arms 17 are welded at their top edge to each end of a flat metal strip 18. A pair of threaded bolts 19 are mounted in the top portion of the housing 14 adjacent the rear thereof. The strap 18 is provided with spaced openings which fit over the bolts 19. The strap is locked in place by wing nuts 20.

edge of the'plate 22, see FIG. 2. The cylinder 33 is threadedly mounted on the nipple 30. This looks the outer cable sheathe 32 to the housing 14 with the central operating wire 34 locked to the slidable plate 22. Reciprocation of the plate 22 will thus cause reciprocation of the cable wire 34,

The cable 31 should be approximately five feet in length or longer. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the other end of the outer cable sheathe portion 32 is mounted in a manually graspable handle 35 made of wood, plastic,

or any other suitable material. The handle 35 is provided with a central axial opening 36. The portion 32 is mountedin one end of the opening 36. The opening 36 may be provided with a bushing or lining 37, if desired. The cablewire 34 extends into the opening 36 and almost through it. The free end is attached to a member 38 slidably mounted in the opening 36 and having a threaded recess 39.

I now provide a plurality of massaging attachments which can be used with the machine. As can be seen in FIG. 1, I provide a flat plate 40 having bristles 41 to form a brush-like member. From the plate 40 there extends a strip 42 having a rod 43 with a threaded end 44. The attachment is mounted in the handle 35 by inserting the rod 43 into the opening 36 and threading the end 44 into the recess 39. With this arrangement, when the motor 11 is turned on, the reciprocating motion of the plate 22 is transmitted through the cable wire 34 to provide the attachment with a reciprocating movement in relation to the handle 35. The handle 35 is then used to apply the reciprocating attachment to any desired portion of the body.

In the same FIG. 1, l similarly provide a U-shaped yoke 45 having an angular roller 46 mounted therein. The flat portion 47 is similar to the portion 42 and a rod 48 extends therefrom having a threaded end 49 for insertion into handle 35 and a threaded connection to the member 38. This attachment provides a rolling or massaging action. Similarly, other attachments can be providedsuch as vibrators, wire brushes for the scalp, etc. It is merely necessary that each attachment be provided with a threaded rod for insertion into the handle opening 36 and threading into the recess 39.

The motor 11 is a simple AC gear motor operated through a cord lead wire 50 extending through the housing 10. The line 50 has a conventional plug 51 for insertion into a standard outlet. A simple switch 52 may be inserted in the line 50 for turning the device on or off. The motor 11 is preferably of a type which provides approximately 50 inch-pounds of torque at about 12 rpm. This will provide the necessary power at a comparatively slow speed. The motor housing may be vented and can be of any suitable material such as aluminum or plastic.

If desired, the Bowdoin cable can be replaced by an equivalent construction. The attachment rods can be elongated and threaded directly into the carrier 22. The action is the same but some of the flexibility is lost. The device is light and compact and readily portable by a woman. It is easily usable at home to provide a healthful and refreshing massage with a minimum of cost and effort. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent toa person skilled in the art.

I claim:

I. A portable massage device comprising a generally rectangular housing, a gear motor mounted in said housing, a drive shaft extending vertically from said gearmotor, said housing having an upper enlarged portion, a flexible Bowdoin-type cable attached to the upper housing portion, said cable having an outer carrier sheathe and an inner operating wire core, means in said housing between said shaft and said cable for converting the rotary motion of said shaft toa reciprocating motion of said wire core, a manually graspable handle, the other end of said cable sheathe being mounted in said handle, a massaging attachment releasably mounted in said handle and attached to said wire core for reciprocating said attachment relative to said handle when said motor is operating, said'upperhousing portion having integral opposed tracks on the inner walls of the housing, and a rectangular plate having edge grooves for sliding movement along said tracks, said converting means including means for causing sliding reciprocation of said plate.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said upper housing portion is provided with an opening in the front, said cable sheathe being attached to said housing at said opening, and said cable wire'extending into said opening and being attached to said plate, whereby reciprocation of said plate will cause reciprocation of said wire core.

3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said handle is provided with a central axial opening, a member having a threaded recess positioned slidably in said opening, said member being attached to the end of said cable wire core, and said attachment havinga rod with a threaded end, said end being insertable into said axial opening and threaded into'said recess.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein a lever arm is mounted on said shaft, said lever arm having a short vertical shaft at its outer end, said plate having a central longitudinal slot, said short vertical shaft extending into said slot, whereby rotation of said motor shaft and lever arm will cause reciprocation of said plate.

5. A device as in claim 4, wherein said handle is provided with a central axial opening, a member having a threaded recess positioned slidably in said opening, said member being attached to the end of said cable wire core, and said attachment having a rod witha threaded end, said end being insertable into said axial opening and threaded into said recess.

6. A device as in claim 2, wherein a lever arm is mounted on said shaft, said lever arm having a short vertical shaft at its outer end, said plate having acentral longitudinal slot, said short vertical shaft extending into said slot, whereby. rotation of said motor shaft and lever arm will cause reciprocation of said plate.

7. A'device as in claim 6, wherein said handle is provided with a central axial opening, a member having a threaded recess positioned slidably in said opening, said member being attached to the end of said cable wire core, and said attachment having a rod with a threaded end, said end being insertable into said axial opening and threaded into said recess.

8. A device as in claim 1, wherein said handle is provided with a central axial opening, a member having a threaded recess positioned slidably in said opening,

said member being attached to the end of said cable wire core, and said attachment having a rod with a threaded end, said end being insertable into said axial opening and threaded into said recess. 

1. A portable massage device comprising a generally rectangular housing, a gear motor mounted in said housing, a drive shaft extending vertically from said gear motor, said housing having an upper enlarged portion, a flexible Bowdoin-type cable attached to the upper housing portion, said cable having an outer carrier sheathe and an inner operating wire core, means in said housing between said shaft and said cable for converting the rotary motion of said shaft to a reciprocating motion of said wire core, a manually graspable handle, the other end of said cable sheathe being mounted in said handle, a massaging attachment releasably mounted in said handle and attached to said wire core for reciprocating said attachment relative to said handle when said motor is operating, said upper housing portion having integral opposed tracks on the inner walls of the housing, and a rectangular plate having edge grooves for sliding movement along said tracks, said converting means including means for causing sliding reciprocation of said plate.
 2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said upper housing portion is provided with an opening in the front, said cable sheathe being attached to said housing at said opening, and said cable wire extending into said opening and being attached to said plate, whereby reciprocation of said plate will cause reciprocation of said wire core.
 3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said handle is provided with a central axial opening, a member having a threaded recess positioned slidably in said opening, said member being attached to the end of said cable wire core, and said attachment having a rod with a threaded end, said end being insertable into said axial opening and threaded into said recess.
 4. A device as in claim 1, wherein a lever arm is mounted on said shaft, said lever arm having a short vertical shaft at its outer end, said plate having a central longitudinal slot, said short vertical shaft extending into said slot, whereby rotation of sAid motor shaft and lever arm will cause reciprocation of said plate.
 5. A device as in claim 4, wherein said handle is provided with a central axial opening, a member having a threaded recess positioned slidably in said opening, said member being attached to the end of said cable wire core, and said attachment having a rod with a threaded end, said end being insertable into said axial opening and threaded into said recess.
 6. A device as in claim 2, wherein a lever arm is mounted on said shaft, said lever arm having a short vertical shaft at its outer end, said plate having a central longitudinal slot, said short vertical shaft extending into said slot, whereby rotation of said motor shaft and lever arm will cause reciprocation of said plate.
 7. A device as in claim 6, wherein said handle is provided with a central axial opening, a member having a threaded recess positioned slidably in said opening, said member being attached to the end of said cable wire core, and said attachment having a rod with a threaded end, said end being insertable into said axial opening and threaded into said recess.
 8. A device as in claim 1, wherein said handle is provided with a central axial opening, a member having a threaded recess positioned slidably in said opening, said member being attached to the end of said cable wire core, and said attachment having a rod with a threaded end, said end being insertable into said axial opening and threaded into said recess. 